Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the potential of atrazine to trigger GPER-mediated signaling in cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). METHODS AND RESULTS: Using gene reporter assays in diverse types of cancer cells, we found that atrazine did not transactivate endogenous ERα or chimeric proteins that encode the ERα and ERβ hormone binding domains. Conversely, atrazine was able to bind to GPER to induce ERK activation and the expression of estrogen target genes, which, interestingly, appeared to rely on both GPER and ERα expression. As a biological counterpart, atrazine stimulated the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells that depend on GPER and ERα, as evidenced by gene silencing experiments and the use of specific signaling inhibitors. Of note, through GPER, atrazine elicited ERK phosphorylation, gene expression, and migration in CAFs, thus extending its stimulatory role to these main players of the tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a novel mechanism through which atrazine may exert relevant biological effects in cancer cells and CAFs. On the basis of our data, atrazine should be included among the environmental contaminants that may elicit estrogenic activity through GPER-mediated signaling.
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Authors | Lidia Albanito, Rosamaria Lappano, Antonio Madeo, Adele Chimento, Eric R Prossnitz, Anna Rita Cappello, Vincenza Dolce, Sergio Abonante, Vincenzo Pezzi, Marcello Maggiolini |
Journal | Environmental health perspectives
(Environ Health Perspect)
Vol. 123
Issue 5
Pg. 493-9
(May 2015)
ISSN: 1552-9924 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 25616260
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
- Atrazine
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Topics |
- Atrazine
(pharmacology)
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
(drug effects)
- Cell Proliferation
(drug effects)
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
(metabolism)
- Fibroblasts
(cytology, drug effects)
- Humans
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
(metabolism)
- Signal Transduction
(drug effects)
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